Japan-Hungary Relations (Overview) 
May 2011
Overview
Historical overview of bilateral relations
Hungary, whose people are ethnically related to Asia, has traditionally been friendly to Japan. For a period after the end of the Second World War, diplomatic relations between Hungary and Japan were severed due to the impact of the Cold War, but diplomatic relations were resumed with the exchange of official documents in August 1959 recognizing the restoration of relations between the two countries. In 1960, both countries established diplomatic representations in the other's country, and in June 1964, these legations were raised to the embassy level. Since the Hungarian economy's transition, Japan has been positively extending assistance to Hungary, and bilateral relations between the two countries have been progressing.
Economic relations
1. Since 1991, Japanese exports to Hungary have exceeded imports from that country. In 2006, with exports from Japan increasing by 1.8% over the previous year to 204.4 billion yen, and imports increasing by 7.9% to 67.3 billion yen, Japan's trade surplus with Hungary reached 137.1 billion yen.
The main Japanese exports have been semiconductor devices, automobile parts and storage battery; the main imports, automatic data-processing machine, pork and automobile.
2. The total amount of Japanese direct investment in Hungary in 2006 was approximately 43.5 million Euro (as reported to the National Bank of Humgary). The main areas of Japanese investment are in manufactures, particularly assembly of vehicles, production of parts and assembly of electronic goods for home and entertainment uses.
Economic Cooperation (up to 2006 March)
In order to help smooth the way for Hungary's move toward democratization and a market economy, Japan provided technical cooperation and dispatching experts in corporate management, environment and so on.
| Financial cooperation | Amount | Present status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Yen loans (environment projects) | 4.9 billion yen | Disbursement completed |
| 2. | Financial cooperation through Export-Import Bank |
$843 million | Disbursement completed |
| 3. | Grant aid (cultural grants) | 632 million yen | Implemented |
| Technical cooperation | 7,581 million yen Implemented | |
| 1. | Acceptance of trainees | 796 trainees |
| 2. | Dispatch of experts | 102 experts |
| 3. | Provision of equipment | 735 million yen Implememted |
| 4. | Development assistance | 7 projects |
| 5. | Project-type technical cooperation | 2 projects |
| 6. | Dispatch of JOCV members | 138 volunteers |
| 7. | Dispatch of study group | 375 researchers |
Others
Since June 1997, exemptions for ordinary visas have been granted.
Back to Index
